More Howard County public high school students took Advanced Placement tests this year, although the percentage of test-takers who scored high enough to earn college credit dropped slightly.

This year, 5,333 tests were taken by 2,574 students in the county, compared to 4,885 tests taken by 2,404 students in 2006, said Terry Alban, the school system?s executive director of strategic planning, assessment and program evaluation.